Gemini Inspired Food and Drink Recipes

Our Sun travels through the sign of Gemini every year from May 21 to June 21. A lot can be said about the correlation between Gemini and it’s placement in our calendar; it falls during the last month of Spring, with the flowers blooming, the Sun shining late into the evening, and birds chirping. Just like Spring, Gemini’s energy is fresh, flirtatious, and charismatic. Now is the perfect time to embrace these flavors in more way than one – by trying these Gemini-inspired food and drink recipes!

With Summer right around the corner and the thermostat heating up, celebrations are common this time of year. Gather your friends and entertain – whether it’s an outdoor barbecue, pool party, or a simple friendly get-together, it’ll surely be a hit as Gemini’s tie with the fast-moving planet Mercury gives everyone an added boost of energy and friendliness. Small talk comes easier with Gemini’s influence, and everyone is feeling this warm and excitable energy, even the more quiet, reserved signs.

There’s no need to spend the time concocting complicated and heavy meals to entertain like a Gemini. Unlike Winter when a nice stew and glass of Cabernet hits the spot, June is the best time to experiment by trying out simple dishes for friends to snack on and refreshing drinks to sip while enjoying the end of Spring!

Appetizer Recipe: Heirloom Tomato & Buratta Squares

Ingredients:

2 – 3 Heirloom tomatoes, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

3 – 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 loaf of focaccia, halved

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 cup fresh Buratta cheese

Instructions:

Combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and vinegar in a medium bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Allow mixture to marinate in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.

Slice the focaccia loaf in half, and place on a baking sheet with the top half facing up. Brush the loaf lightly with olive oil, and bake until golden brown.

Smooth the Buratta cheese on top of the warm focaccia with a knife immediately after removing from oven, and spoon the tomato mixture atop. Sprinkle chopped basil leaves on top, and cut into 3 – 4 inch squares.

Appetizer Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Dates with Fontina Cheese

Ingredients:

Fresh dates

Fontina cheese, cut in squares

Thick cut bacon, cut in thirds

Instructions:

Use a paring knife to cut a slit into each date, and fill them with a piece of Fontina cheese. Wrap the bacon around the dates, and secure each one with a toothpick.

Broil the dates on a cookie sheet for 4 – 6 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the cheese has melted.

Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Spring Thyme

Ingredients:

1 cup strawberries

3 sprigs of fresh thyme

1 oz gin

1 oz vermouth

1/2 oz simple syrup

club soda

Instructions:

Add strawberries, thyme, gin, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker; muddle the strawberries at the bottom before adding ice and shaking. Strain the mixture into a glass with ice, and top with club soda. Garnish with a lime and a sprig of thyme.

Cocktail Recipe: White Sangria

Ingredients:

4 oranges, sliced

2 apples, cubed

2 peaches, cubed

1 container of raspberries

1/2 cup peach schnapps

1/2 cup cognac

1/4 cup sugar (optional)

4 bottles of white wine (sauvignon blanc works well)

1 liter ginger ale or club soda

In a large pitcher, mix the schnapps, cognac and sugar. Add in the fruit and wine, and chill for at least 2 hours (overnight works best). Mix in the ginger ale or club soda right before serving in large glasses with ice.